Homestyle Turkey Chili

Earlier I asked on twitter what “intricate and complex” meal I should cook for myself. Should it be my mom’s homemade chili or macaroni and cheese? I don’t know why I’m having such an intense craving for comfort food but you know what they say…..don’t fight the feeling. Oh, I don’t fight it. Not at all.

What I really want though is for my MOM to make one of these meals for me and for me to eat it, in my navy blue sweatpants from freshman year, while watching Oprah on tv and drinking wine.

Is that too much to ask? Unfortunately both my mom and Oprah are 3,000 miles away (I don’t have a television) so I had to make due with what I’ve got: a kitchen the size of a shoebox and a tattered old book of recipes that mom hand wrote for me when I moved out the first time*.

I love my mom so much!

Guess who?

Even as a youngin’, I was overly ambitious.

And loved the ocean, especially when wearing sweet purple jumpsuits.

After nostalgically flipping through the pages, I decided on chili. Chili freezes well, tastes delicious and is really inexpensive to make!

So here we go.

First, chop a gigantic onion as well as a big red bell pepper, eight cloves of garlic (you heard me…eight!) and a jalapeno pepper.

Saute everything in two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium/low heat:

After about five minutes, add a pound of lean ground turkey to the mix. You could also use sirloin but I always prefer turkey chili, myself.

Give the pot one final stir, bring to a simmer and then cover and cook for one hour, stirring occasionally.

While the chili cooks, you should probably clean the kitchen.

And drink some wine?

After the hour is up, remove cover and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes before serving. I like to serve my chili over noodles with lots of cheddar cheese on top….it’s how my mom always made it for us when we were kids! Also, this chili gets a lot better the longer it sits. Even though I love it on day one, it tastes even better the third time around…you know?

*from the period of 2004-2009 I moved out and back in with my parents numerous times. Don’t judge.

I absolutely HEART seeing recipes with serious garlic (eight! Love it!) I sometimes feel lonely in my love of garlic and sigh with sadness whenever I see any recipe that calls for one or two. It always cooks down so nicely.

No one is judging you, especially me! I have moved between two different schools during Undergrad and ultimately chose to finish out back at home… Not only is it a mega-amazing way to save money for future endeavs or moves but it is pretty great witnessing just how much family means while you are away in the beginning!

Abbey

April 21, 2010 at 2:47 pm

*no judging here*

hehe you are so cute jenna. that chili recipe sounds delicious! i hope you feel better soon, dear. you’ve given a lot to your readers…you deserve some “you” time. things will look up for you, don’t worry! we’re all here for you as always <333

mel

laura

April 21, 2010 at 3:19 pm

Jenna, I do not comment very often (really ever) but I wanted to tell you I really like the subtle shift in tone and style your writing has taken recently. It’s gained more of a distinct voice, especially in comparison to the other food blogs out there!

Thank you for sharing this hearty and delicious recipe! Oh, and no judgments on living with the parentals. I’m moving back in with my Dad this summer until I find my own place and I’ll be 25 this September. Though, given that he lives an hour from Lake Tahoe in the serene mountains and is my favorite person, I don’t see myself in any huge rush to find a place…

So homey. Love it….and the wine. Too cute. Can’t wait to see the final result!
You don’t have a TV? Wow – you really are a toughie. Do you have furniture though now?? Or do you really still eat on the floor?!
And I was wondering if you have a lot of fancy kitchen appliances? Seems simplistic 🙂
I’m getting pizza I don’t care…

sarah

April 21, 2010 at 3:59 pm

i can’t believe i feel the need to weigh in on this. i actually rarely even read the blog comments on any blog, but with all these defensive posts i finally decided to see what all the fuss was about. i started reading your blog, jenna, this past summer. i was home for three or four days with a horrible bug when i discovered it and i literally read it in its entirety (up to that current point) almost every waking hour during that span of time. i ADORED it and it definitely got me hooked on food blogs in general. since you moved to california, particularly in the last few weeks, i would definitely say the feel of the blog has changed. it seems less about the food, which is fine – but it seems reasonable that your readers would have something to say about it. the negative comments “i am so over this blog” seem completely unnecessary and i think those people need to get over themselves. i didn’t really notice the difference in style until recently, and i still love your blog and i look forward to your posts and reading what you have to say every single day but i think it would be difficult to argue that there isn’t difference between “old” and “new” posts. it does come across, at least to me, as a bit contrived – but you know, maybe you are just feeling happy and silly, and if that is the case – great! but if for some reason you maybe feel the need to come across in some sort of different way, please remember that the reason you have had so much success in your life (re: the blog) is because of how it originally was – that is how you built your reader and fan base and presumably how you gained so much popularity and recognition. we all love it, and i still do! i hope the tone and attitude now are genuine because that is a trait i know we all really love and appreciate about you and your voice as a blogger.

i dont understand the drama….its a blog…your blog….no biggie…u write and do what u want…nice chilli, come and cook for me 🙂
i LOVE simple.
i have one fork, one knife, one kettle that i have to plug in.
fancy is nice too…but this is what i have, so i am going to be settled enuf with that.
cookbooks are so much fun.

Sounds delicious. I know how hard it can be being seperated from your family. My family is about 8 hours away from me. I love when I get a chance to visit to experience those delicious “comfort” foods.

Well, if you open a bottle of wine for cooking, of COURSE you have to drink it while you cook!
That chili looks delicious…chili is one of my favorite rainy day foods! It’s so easy to customize. I have an amazing vegetarian chili recipe that uses like 6 cans of beans. It’s ridiculous, but SO good!

Cyclist Kate

April 21, 2010 at 4:53 pm

It sounds like you’re not letting the silly blog comments bug you–you’ve had enough of them over the years to (hopefully) get used to it! What I love about the more recent posts is that you seem HAPPEEEE. Love it.

Anyway, I wanted to share this quote that I lurve that has helped me deal not only with others’ judgments but also with my own: “Every judgment we make is really a judgment of ourselves.” This helps me have compassion for people who make lots of negative judgments because I understand that it’s coming from a place of unhappiness within themselves and doesn’t have to do with whatever/whomever is being judged.

And also, it’s weird that people feel the need to tell you they don’t like your blog/the new tone/what you eat/what you do/whatever. Who cares? You don’t like it, move on. People who are secure in their own lives and with themselves aren’t going to be so invested in what other people do.

Allie

April 21, 2010 at 5:01 pm

the chili looks fabulous, and i love how you presented the recipe with pictures. i am not a very good cook and i love seeing things done! love everything about your blog jenna. and ps- i moved back home at, um, 32…&*%t happens.

I’ve never commented before, but just want to say you are absolutely stunning! I REALLY don’t get how people have the audacity to tell you how to write YOUR blog. Let’s all repeat: YOUR blog. Write however, whenever, about whatever you want!! Obviously you already know this, but just wanted to support you in YOUR blog. 🙂 Hope the rain goes away soon! Bring on the sunshine!!

Susan

shannon

Jenni

April 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

Hmmm…#32 Ellen: what’s wrong with Jennie-O turkey?? Just curious.

Jenna, thanks for the recipe! I’ve been craving something “down home” and this fits the bill. Oh, and the beauty of having your own blog?? It’s YOUR OWN BLOG. It’s about YOU and YOUR LIFE. That’s why we read it! It’s entertaining, funny, and insightful. ‘Nuff said!

That looks so comforting! I just moved to the east coast from Oregon and I am missing my family big time! I also find that cooking a recipe from my mom makes me feel close to home! I hope you have lunch/dinner for the next few nights!!! yummmmm

i loved this post. it makes me sad to think that you are missing home. i know how much i love being home with my parents, and i miss them when im away, so picturing you across the country and missing ur mom makes me sad. i hope you get out for a night with some friends or the boy, just to take your mind off things. im sitting next to my mom, and reading this makes me miss her! the recipe looks fantastic, and i adore that your mom handwrote all of the recipes for you. you have a lot going on right now. keep your head up and remember we all still love your blog!

My husband makes HUGE batches of chili every few weeks throughout the winter, and we eat it for a week straight and usually still have some leftover, which I end up freezing. Such a good meal 🙂 He actually collaborated with our friend and neighbor and made a ‘stone chili’ the other night, and we had a lovely chili dinner party with a bunch of friends.

I don’t get Sarah’s comment…uh “old” and “new”…there’s a reason why things are “old” and “new” – they’re different!! Things change!
Do people honestly expect people to not change or to be the same person as the years past?? Are you for real?? Everybody changes, things change, life changes. ….it’s called the past and the present. And living in the past , no matter if it was good or not – isn’t the way to live…okay that’s all; gonna just keep it real from now on and not get caught up . These negative comments take away from the simplicity and enjoyment of the blog….
Cyclist Kate said it best.

I love the cookbook your mom made you-how special! I have a binder that I made myself that has recipes from my mom, but not nearly as cool as her making it. Chili looks awesome and agreed, usually things like Chili and soup are way better the next day!

have you ever had it on grits? being from the south i figured you might, but its so genius and avoids the potential for burning cornbread (i promise i talk not from experience, ahem). But i do love a good noodle and chili too, kinda like chili-mac!!! loves it and loooves you jjenna!
MA

There is something so wonderful about chili, noodles, and cheddar cheese! Chili alone is good comfort food – but all 3 combined. It makes me feel like a kid again. My mom served it this way too…and still does! I love that there are 8 cloves of garlic! YummmO!!

When I first left for college I was excited to move out once my junior year came around I started begging my mom to move up to Orlando. I don’t judge, I totally understand and am jealous you got to live at home again. I love home and my mom too. Your mom sounds amazing and so does that chili!!

Melanie

April 21, 2010 at 8:48 pm

My mom made me a similar cook book when I moved out and I cherish it. I am 32 and miss living in with my parents so no judging here. The hubs loves chili so I will try this recipe soon.
Love your blog!

andrea lieberg

Katie

April 21, 2010 at 9:14 pm

we are the same age and i have moved back in with my parents too many times since i graduated college in 2007. my fiance is deployed to afghanistan so here i am living with them again while i try to find a job and finish up grad school! I used to hate it and let it affect my self-esteem but now i just look at it as a blessing to be able to live in a beautiful place and not have to worry about money!

Ha, you’re kitchen looks just like mine, with everything all crammed around the KitchenAid. That chili looks nummy, I should make a vegetarian version the next time I get that comfort-food hankering. Only a matter of time.

Love lots of garlic. Recipe sounds excellent. DARLING pix of you and your Mom. I love my mother SOOOO much too, miss her a lot as we live in different states. Love the hand made recipe book…what a very thoughtful mother. Have pix like that too, only ours is on Santa Monica beach at about age 2. Wish my mom lived near me. 🙁

Debbie B

April 21, 2010 at 10:08 pm

Hey girl- even Oprah has haters! The beautiful thing is that along with the haters come many more followers 🙂 You should be proud of yourself! I really don’t get some of these past comments about you as if you are some depressed and confused lost soul on the verge of a break down? You are only in your twenties, finished your education, lived in France, moved to another state all alone, very disciplined in healthy eating and excercise, successful blog, and to top things off – have a book deal! Boy- what a slacker! Lol

shelly

April 21, 2010 at 10:09 pm

awesomeness…nothing is best than some feel good food (espicially some food that your ma made recipe that you re-create to remind you of her…total run on sentence or what…lol …man I miss my ma!)
looks real good!
good comfort food and some yum wine = contentness for the night:)

Chili is the one dish that reminds me of home. My mom had an AWESOME slow cooker dish that I begged her to give to me (along with a crock pot!!) when I was on my own. Every time I make it, the smell alone invokes memories of home. She would make it every Halloween and serve it with TONS of melted cheese on top and a glass of apple cider. It was usually cold out so it geared us up for a night of trick-or-treating. I love how food has the ability to provide such deep connections to family and culture. It’s nice to have a little piece of it when you are so far away. Take care, and ENJOY HOME!

Jaime

April 22, 2010 at 4:59 am

What a WONDERFUL way to capture memories of your mom’s recipes! That’s such a beautiful and priceless gift! I hear you: I moved home several times during and after college and even grad school! Unemployment, break ups, decision changes–what we’ll both probably always take away from those experiences is that our parents are there for us no matter what.

Chili is the one dish that reminds me of home. My mom had an AWESOME slow cooker dish that I begged her to give to me (along with a crock pot!!) when I was on my own. Every time I make it, the smell alone invokes memories of home. She would make it every Halloween and serve it with TONS of melted cheese on top and a glass of apple cider. It was usually cold out so it geared us up for a night of trick-or-treating. I love how food has the ability to provide such deep connections to family and culture. It’s nice to have a little piece of it when you are so far away. Take care, and ENJOY HOME!

Therese

No shame about missing home or moving home more than once! I am a married woman and sometimes I still sleepover at my parents when he goes out of town for work. Sometimes it is just nice being taken care of! And like your parents, my parents are pretty fun too…

saramariesue

Jenna, Your blog is the first food/fitness blog that I ever read. I don’t even remember how I found it; but once I did, I was hooked. Every morning over breakfast, I check my Google Reader, and “Eat, Live, Run” is the first one that I go to. Your blog finds itself in one of the most satisfying moments of my day: a quiet time to myself, before the mad rush begins.

Life is everchanging, thus a blog about someone’s life would (obviously) change as well. I love your spontaneity, honesty, and humorous outlook on life! Keep rollin’ girl.

MollyM

all im gonna say is haters are always gonna hate! (horrible grammar I know) besides that, its a good quote because there are always people out there who are going to find the negative in something. I completely love your blog and what ever you choose to write, i will read because I enjoy reading the blog! People are always going to have comments or try and bring people down, just brush it off your shoulder because there still are people out here who think your great!!! 🙂 and plus the weekend is coming up! partayyy!!!!!

I made this tonight! SO good!! I thought it was slightly acidic, but I did add some toppings so maybe that is why? Anyway – thank you for the recipe! I’ve been dying for a chili recipe that gets nice and thick like this!

Melissa

Natalie

April 25, 2010 at 11:16 am

I made this chili last night just as you posted it and I LOVE it. We ate it again for lunch today … so true that chili tastes better as it ages. My husband is really tied to his dad’s chili recipe but this is my new favorite.

I made this chili last night to freeze. I had home-grown tomatoes and jalapenos that desperately wanted to be used (and I’ve had too much salsa recently). I had a bowl last night (yummm) and I’m already excited to thaw some out once the weather gets a bit cooler.

Tia

September 17, 2010 at 9:45 am

Months and months after posting this recipe and I am just seeing it! It looks wonderful! Is this something I could throw in a crock pot after sauteing the onion, garlic and peppers and browning the meat? I am trying to find a yummy meal I can make for my fiance’s family and his room mate/ and his family. I am looking for comfort food as the air will be chilly and half the group will just be getting out of a car from a 7 hour drive… we won’t have enough time before to make it on the stove.. and it sounds like it would pair perfectly with fresh cornbread, cheese and a fresh salad.

Gretchen

October 17, 2010 at 4:29 pm

Jenna – you are a genius, and this recipe totally saved me today! I had a plan to make this chili for a football-watching Sunday for me & my boyfriend, and then out of the blue, his entire family decided to stop by. Thank god for this recipe – they all LOVED it. In fact, everyone went back for seconds, and they NEVER go back for seconds of anything 🙂 Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Barb

Steph

November 6, 2012 at 10:09 am

This recipe was exactly what I needed! I am living in Germany with my husband who is stationed here in the military and I just wanted a little taste of home/comfort food while he is working nights all week. The recipe is the perfect amount of sweet and spicy and has that great color that a homemade chili should have! Thank you (and your Mom!) for sharing!

Emily

September 12, 2013 at 10:55 am

Can you say YUM??!! 🙂

I’m having a casual rehearsal dinner for my wedding coming up in 2 weeks and plan to make a turkey chili and a butternut squash soup {along with cornbread, salad and pie mMmmM}. I knew I would find something perfect on your blog! Do you happen to know how much chili this recpie makes? I have almost 50 people attending my rehearsal and want to plan accordingly.

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